Types of aid

Contact the Financial Aid Office for complete eligibility requirements for all of the financial aid programs listed here. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for federal and state financial aid programs.

Requirements & information

Eligibility requirements

Eligibility for federal, state, and VCCS programs is based on financial need and several other factors. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted. Many financial aid programs are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis so it is important to apply early. The financial aid administrator at the college will determine eligibility. Basic eligibility requirements require that students:

demonstrate financial need (except for certain loans).

have a high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) certificate, or complete a high school education in a home school setting that is treated as such under state law, or have satisfactorily completed six credit hours or the equivalent course work toward a degree or certificate.

be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program.

Other information

Other programs including scholarships exist at each college and can be researched through the individual college websites which can be found using the VCCS College Locator.

Visit the Virginia Education Wizard to compare college costs, estimate financial aid eligibility at Virginia’s Community Colleges, and learn more about how to apply for financial aid.

Alternative (private) student loans

The college does certify alternative (private) loans for eligible students. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid before Germanna Community College can certify an alternative loan application. Lenders often require that students must be meeting college Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements before a loan can be certified. Lenders require that alternative loan borrowers be credit worthy. In many cases a credit worthy co-signer is required by the lender. Different lenders have different definitions of credit worthiness. Please contact your lender for more information.

Student borrowers under age 18

Most states require student borrowers to be at least 18 years old. Parents and, in some cases, other credit worthy adults may borrow on behalf of students who are under 18.

Questions for borrowers

Questions borrowers should ask when considering an Alternative Loan or a Federal Direct Student Loan

Interest rates

What is the base interest rate? What is the margin over the base interest rate? Is the interest rate variable over the life of the loan? How often does the variable interest rate adjust?

Fees

Does the lender charge up front loan fees? Does the lender charge fees when the loan goes into repayment?

Minimum loan amount

Will the lender approve small loans less than $2,000 or $3,000?

Interest capitalization

Can interest be capitalized (added to the loan principal) while the borrower is attending school? What is the interest rate on capitalized interest? Can interest only payments be made during periods while the borrower is attending school?

Repayment

Are there interest rate or principal reductions for on time or electronic payments? Are there different repayment options? Are there prepayment penalties? What is the projected monthly payment? Do you have the option to extend the repayment period? What is the maximum repayment period? Is there a grace period before repayment begins? Do you have the option of consolidating your student loans?

Credit worthiness

What is the lender’s credit criteria? Will a co-signer be required?

Death & disability

Does the loan provide for instances when the borrower becomes disabled or dies?

Programs

Federal programs

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to eligible undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or a professional degree. Eligibility is primarily based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Student Aid Report (SAR), but is also affected by enrollment status.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

A student who is not eligible for a Pell Grant but whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. Eligible students must be under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death. The grant award is equal to the amount of a maximum Pell Grant for the award year – not to exceed the cost of attendance for that award year.

FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant)

FSEOG is for undergraduate Federal Pell Grant recipients with exceptional financial need (i.e., students with a zero EFC) and registered for at least six financial aid eligible credits per semester. Eligible Germanna students with an out-of-state residency status receive no less than $100 a year in these funds depending on eligibility, funding level, and the date of application.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a grant program that provides part-time jobs for students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program encourages community service work and work related to the recipient’s course of study. Students are paid by the hour usually twice per month. Wages for the program must equal at least the current federal minimum wage but might be higher, depending on the type of work and the skills required. The amount earned cannot exceed the total FWS award. When assigning work hours, consideration will be given to the student’s award amount, class schedule, and academic progress. Students must be registered for at least six financial aid eligible credits.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan

Direct Stafford Loans, from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, are low-interest loans for eligible students to help cover the cost of higher education. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education. A minimum of six active, financial aid eligible credit hours per semester is required to be awarded a loan and for the loan to be disbursed. Active credits are financial aid eligible credits the student is currently enrolled in at time of disbursement. If a grade has been posted for one or more of the financial aid eligible classes at the time of disbursement, the grade must be an A, B, C, D, P, or S for the loan to be released. Interest is subsidized while in school and in grace periods for students who demonstrate financial need. Annual limits are based on class level and dependency status and range from $5,500 to $10,500 per year at community colleges.

Federal Direct PLUS Loan

Parents of dependent students may apply for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan to help pay their child’s education expenses as long as certain eligibility requirements are met. The annual limit on a PLUS Loan is equal to the student’s cost of attendance minus any other financial aid the student receives.

State programs

COMA (Commonwealth Grant)

COMA is a state-funded grant that provides assistance to undergraduate Virginia residents who demonstrate financial need. Award amounts cannot exceed tuition and fees per academic year. A minimum of of at least six financial aid eligible credits. is required each semester in order to receive COMA.

VGAP (Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program)

VGAP awards range from $500 up to tuition, fees and books available to undergraduate Virginia residents who graduated from a Virginia high school or complete home schools instruction with at least a 2.5 grade point average.

VCCS programs

PTAP (Part-time Tuition Assistance Program)

The Virginia Part-time Assistance Program is to assist undergraduate, part-time students with financial need to pay part of their college costs. Funds may be used for need-based grants to Virginia resident undergraduates enrolled part-time. In order for an undergraduate student to be eligible for an award, a student must:

Be admitted into a Virginia community college.

Be enrolled for one to eight credits in an approved degree, certificate, or diploma program.

Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

Be a domiciliary resident of Virginia as defined by the Code of Virginia §23-7.4.

Demonstrate financial need as determined by the institution.

VCCS Grant

The VCCS Grant provides assistance to Virginia residents at Virginia’s Community Colleges who demonstrate financial need. Award amounts cannot exceed tuition, fees, and books per academic year. Must be registered for at least six financial aid eligible credits per semester.

VCCS Tuition Grant

The Tuition Grant program provides tuition and fees at any Virginia community college for high school graduates or General Education Development (GED) completers in foster care, in the custody of a social services agency, or considered a special needs adoption. A minimum of at least six financial aid eligible credits.is required per semester and financial need must be demonstrated. The grant covers tuition and fees only.

Germanna programs

Germanna Guarantee Program (GGP)

The GGP provides assistance to Virginia residents at Germanna who demonstrate financial need. Award amounts cannot exceed tuition, fees, and books per academic year. Must be registered for at least six financial aid eligible credits per semester.

Germanna Work-study Program (GWS)

The Germanna Work-study Program is a grant program that provides part-time employment opportunities to students who do not qualify for need-based work-study. Students must meet the same academic standards as Federal work-study students and have unmet cost of attendance. The amount earned cannot exceed the total GWS award. When assigning work hours, consideration will be given to the student’s award amount, class schedule, and academic progress.

President’s Tuition Offset Grant (PTOG)

The PTOG provides assistance to Virginia residents at Germanna who demonstrate financial need. Award amounts cannot exceed tuition, fees, and books per academic year. Must be registered for at least six financial aid eligible credits per semester.